Marine engine protector

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for protecting a marine engine comprising; a shield and a device for securing the shield over the engine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a marine engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There is routine or accelerated damage to the marine engine due to the failure to prevent the hostile environment from entering the engine compartment or other areas that were not designed to prevail under these harsh conditions. The engine compartment and the transom area of many vessels manufactured today are almost directly over the engine and the parts that need protection, thus the need for a water diverter. According to most marine manufacturers and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, many products are not designed to prevail in salt water. Their repair manuals are geared to dominant usage in fresh water. A user can always clean their motor, however, rust will not come off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a marine engine. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be portable. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be damage resistant. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be flame retardant. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be low cost. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to have the ability to protect a marine engine from hostile environment spray, rain leakage and rust thus preserving the cosmetic appearance, mechanical integrity and thus adding to the retail value when resold. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to act like an umbrella. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to comprise a rubber shield. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to prevent damage and divert any leakage water or in use spray away from these areas and divert this hostile agenda to the area it was intended to be, typically under the motor, where a pumping system will expel the water overboard, when activated, or to a predetermined area of accumulation thus preserving and extending the actual life of a device that is expected to fail more rapidly.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be made in several shapes and sizes to cover different size motors. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to comprise a rubber sheet, large enough to cover a marine type engine with the exhaust manifolds in place. It is an object of the present invention for the rubber sheet to have a rim grommet in at least two of the corners. It is an object of the present invention for the rubber sheet to have a rim grommet in at least four of the corners. It is an object of the present invention for the rim grommets to be stainless steel self-piercing rolled rim grommets. It is an object of the present invention for the rim grommets to have spur washers. It is an object of the present invention for the grommets to attach to a bulk length stretch cord cut to size and self binding cord hooks to be affixed to the ends of this cord when cut to size by the user. It is an object of the present invention for the cord to be a shock cord.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be supplied in a kit form package. It is an object of the present invention for a user to open the package, unroll the rubber sheet and place it on an area to be protected. The user then measures and cuts the stretch cord supplied and attaches the supplied hooks and fastens the apparatus to anything nearby on the boat that creates a snug fit. The fit should not be to tight to interfere with any moving parts on the boat. It is an object of the present invention to protect linkage, carborator and electrical system components. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to create longevity of metal parts, electrical systems, fuel system and linkage when the apparatus is in place.

[0006] The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a marine engine comprising: a shield, at least two grommets and a device for securing the shield over the engine. It is an object of the invention for the device to comprise cord and hooks. It is an object of the invention for the grommets to attach to the cord. It is an object of the invention for the hooks to be self binding and be affixed to the ends of the cord.

[0007] It is an object of the invention for the shield to be rolled up when it is not in use.

[0008] The present invention relates to a method for protecting a marine engine comprising unrolling a shield, and placing the shield on an area to be protected. The cord is measured and cut to the appropriate size and hooks are attached to the cord. The cord is fastened to the shield and the shield is fastened to the boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a top view of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows an example of a cord used in the apparatus of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows an example of hooks used with the apparatus of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows the apparatus as used when covering an engine.

[0013]FIG. 5 shows the apparatus in a stored position.

[0014]FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the apparatus through A-A in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention showing the apparatus 10 comprising a shield 12. In a preferred embodiment the shield is made of a rubber material. The shield 12 comprises a composition which shields the engine from damage caused by salt water. Grommets 14 are placed in the corners of the shield 12. At least two grommets are necessary, however four grommets are preferred.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows a cord 16. In a preferred embodiment, the cord is a stretch cord. In a preferred embodiment, the cord is a shock cord. FIG. 3 shows the hooks 18 which are affixed to the ends of the cord 16. The grommets 14 attach to a bulk length stretch cord 16 which is cut to size. Self binding cord hooks 18 are affixed to the ends of cord 16 when cut to size by the user. The cord 16 can be of any length sufficient to bind the shield over the engine. In an embodiment, the length of cord 16 is approximately 60 inches. In an embodiment the cord 16 is approximately {fraction (3/16)}″ in width.

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus 104 of the present invention being placed on an engine 102 on a boat 100 in the tronsom area 120. The engine comprises a distributor 108, carborator 106, alternator 110, crank 112, and water pump 114. The front of the boat is indicated by arrow 116.

[0018]FIG. 5 shows the apparatus 200 in the rolled up form for storage when it is not in use.

[0019]FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the apparatus 300 as shown through lines A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows the shield 304 and the grommets 302.

[0020] The apparatus of this invention can also be used to protect other engines and other parts which are subject to a hostile environment and can rust due to the forces of nature. 

1. An apparatus for protecting a marine engine comprising: a shield; at least two grommets; and a device for securing said shield over said engine.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shield is comprised of rubber.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is portable.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is flame retardant.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus protects said marine engine from hostile environment spray, rain leakage and rust.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus diverts any leakage water or in use spray away from said engine.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus diverts leakage water or spray to an area it was intended such as under a motor, where a pumping system expels said water overboard, when activated, or to a predetermined area of acclamation
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is made in several shapes and sizes to cover different size engines.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a rubber sheet, large enough to cover said marine engine with exhaust manifolds in place.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shield is in a configuration of a square or rectangle and said grommets are placed in at least two corners.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said grommets are placed in four corners.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grommets are stainless steel self-piercing rolled rim grommets.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grommets have spur washers.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said device comprises cord and hooks.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said grommets attach to said cord
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said cord comprises a stretch cord.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said hooks are self binding and can be affixed to ends of said cord.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said cord comprises a shock cord.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shield can be rolled up when it is not in use.
 20. A method for protecting a marine engine comprising: unrolling a shield; placing said shield on an area to be protected; measuring and cutting a cord; attaching hooks to said cord; fastening said cord to said shield; fastening said shield to anything on a boat that creates a snug fit. 